Storage Capacity Configuration

ABSTRACT

A method for configuring the storage capacity of a recording apparatus. An AV content item is recorded ( 104 ) preferably on a random access media, for example a hard disk based personal video recorder. It is then reproduced ( 106 ) for review by a user, possibly contemporaneously with the recording. During reproduction, the content and/or metadata associated with the content is analysed ( 108 ) to identify a pre-determined condition. Where a condition occurs ( 110 ), the user is prompted ( 112 ) for a response. The storage capacity used for storing the content item is then configured ( 116 ) according to the user response, including the case where no user response is provided.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing AVcontent items; in particular, the configuration of finite storagecapacity used for storing AV content items.

Personal Video Recorders (PVRs, also known as Digital Video Recorders,DVRs) have compelling features such as instant record and random accessretrieval of an item for replay. Even though storage (e.g. hard disk)capacity of such recorders offer perhaps 30 or more hours, strategiesneed to be deployed to manage this finite capacity, in particular todetermine when and which recorded items to delete (erase) from storage.In an Is embodiment from TiVo Inc. of Alviso, Calif., USA (“Viewers'Guide for the Tivo Recorder”, document SDOC-00029-001 Rev. B, at p 18),a Now Playing list comprises those programmes that have been recorded(and therefore occupy capacity); each programme being normally saved fortwo days after which it may be automatically deleted. A disadvantage isthat such deletion does not take into account whether or not the itemhas actually been viewed. In an embodiment from British Sky BroadcastingLtd of London, UK (“Sky+ User Guide” Version 4.1, August 2003, at p 70),a user may choose a disk space management mode wherein recordedprogrammes will be deleted automatically when there is insufficientspace to record new programmes. The strategy used for deletion beingthat recorded programmes previously watched will first be deleted,followed by recorded programmes that have not been watched. As with theTiVo embodiment, a disadvantage is that a non-viewed item may bedeleted. Furthermore, for both embodiments the decision to delete aparticular programme from storage is generally deferred until there is ashortage of capacity to record a further programme. When this situationis reached, the management of the storage capacity to make capacityavailable for recording further programmes becomes less optimal thanwhere capacity is already available. In the above embodiments, for agiven capacity such a situation could occur earlier than would be thecase where the decision to delete a particular programme was notdeferred. Clearly, this issue is especially acute where there isrelatively modest total storage capacity (such as for removable media)or where many further programmes need to be recorded.

In a further aspect, known embodiments (including TiVo and Sky+embodiments described above) utilise manual deletion of a recorded itemby means of user selection from a list of recorded items. Although thisallows deletion before capacity becomes insufficient for new recordings,a disadvantage is that an item may not be familiar to the user,resulting in a likelihood that the user will procrastinate and decidenot to delete the item to avoid the risk of deleting somethingpotentially worth viewing. Alternatively, a typical user may defer suchdeletions until the point where it is imperative, that is, when capacityfor new items becomes insufficient. Such last moment capacity managementmethods are likely to result in maintaining known disadvantages familiarto the user of a traditional VHS recorder, for example stress due totime pressure in deciding which item(s) to delete combined with risk ofdeleting a ‘wanted item’ in order to make room for a new item to berecorded. Furthermore, present methods do not fully exploit thecapability of the disk filing system to assign and modify attributes ofa recorded content item. A disk or other storage means which maintainsin storage unwanted content items limits the capacity available fortemporarily buffering (that is, speculatively storing) or scheduling therecording of further content items, for example those received viabroadcast TV channels.

It is an object of the present invention to improve over the known art.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method forconfiguring the storage capacity of a recording apparatus used forstoring at least one AV content item, the method comprising:

-   -   storing a content item;    -   reproducing the stored content item for review by a user;    -   while reproducing the stored content item, analysing the        reproduction of the content item to identify the occurrence of a        pre-determined condition;    -   where a pre-determined condition occurs, prompting the user for        a response; and    -   configuring the storage capacity used for storing the content        item according to the user response.

The present invention comes from a realisation that storage capacityconfiguration of a recording apparatus is best performed as part of thenormal reviewing process, rather than being performed as a dedicatedhousekeeping task. As a result, the user is better placed to make adecision for example to delete or archive a content item having reviewedthe item. Advantageously, during reviewing the user is prompted for aresponse which will enable the storage capacity used for storing thecontent item to be configured according to the user response.Preferably, for a content item comprising video the prompt is renderedon the same display as the item. In one example, the prompt occurs atthe end of the item in that the reviewer is then sufficiently familiarwith the item to decide whether to archive or delete it. In a secondexample, the user is prompted when both the start and end of the contentitem have been identified so as to prompt the user once it is inferredthat he/she has reviewed the entire item. For both examples, a fast andaccurate detection of the end of an item is desirable, such as bydetecting the credits at the end of a video content item using knowntechniques. This ensures the user is prompted before he/she attempts tostart another activity (that is, change context) such as make arefreshment, surf other TV channels, or the like. Other conditions totrigger suitable prompts can be readily identified by the skilledperson.

The method is particularly suited to embodiment in PVRs due to the easeof configuring their storage capacity, for example when deleting apreviously stored item. Such apparatus has the ability to ‘speculativelyrecord’ whereby a user can record for example a broadcast TV show andcontemporaneously view the recording. Advantageously, the method alsoallows such recordings to be maintained in the event that a user doesnot respond to a prompt, for example the viewer is asleep when promptedat the end of the show. Suitable metadata embedded within, or providedin relation to, an item by the content provider (for example, abroadcaster) can assist the operation of the method. However, for manypurposes it is preferred to have an accurate detection of the end of acontent item, as exemplified by the ‘credits detection’ examplediscussed above. In a preferred embodiment, where a user does notrespond to a prompt the associated recording may be maintained for alimited time period, after which the recording might be marked forautomatic deletion.

As a further advantage, the method supports the situation where a userrents a content item, for example a movie on DVD or Pay-per-view. Whilewatching the movie, the movie is also recorded on a speculative basisand for some reason the user fails to respond to a prompt, for exampleat the end of the movie. In turn, the stored item may be watched againwithin a limited time period, as with speculative recordings above.Alternatively, reproduction of the stored item may be conditional on anauthorisation, for example notifying a service provider of the existenceof the speculative recording and receiving in return an authorisation toenable reproduction, perhaps in exchange for a supplementary payment.Automated methods to perform such functions are well known to theskilled person and will not be further discussed herein. Furthermore, aspeculative recording might also be protected from unauthorised copying,again using a suitable method known to the skilled person; theauthorisation and copy protection functions may be combined in a singlemethod.

In the case where a user when prompted decides to delete a storedcontent item, the storage capacity used for storing the content item maythen be configured to be released. Advantageously, the decision todelete the content item is not deferred, for example until there is ashortage of capacity. The storage capacity used for storing an itemmight be released immediately; preferably, the capacity is marked asavailable thereby advantageously permitting restoration of the storedcontent item should the user change his/her mind. Alternatively, thestorage capacity used for storing an item may be marked as available orreleased only after a period of time or pending archiving of the contentitem. In addition, known file management techniques (for example filedefragmentation) can be used to optimise the utilisation of storagecapacity.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided an AV content recording apparatus configured in its operationsto perform the method of the invention, the apparatus comprising:

-   -   an input arranged to receive a content item;    -   a store operable to store the content item and to reproduce the        content item under the direction of a processor;    -   a first output arranged to output the reproduced content item;    -   a second output arranged to output a prompt signal;    -   a user interface operable to render the prompt signal and to        accept user inputs;    -   a receiver device operable to receive a response from the user        interface; and    -   a processor, a program memory and a data memory all        interconnected by means of a bus, the processor being operable        under control of a program contained in the program memory to:        -   direct the storage of a content item;        -   direct the reproduction of the content item for review by a            user;        -   during reproduction of the stored content item, analyse the            content item to identify the occurrence of a pre-determined            condition;        -   where a pre-determined condition occurs, prompt the user for            a response; and        -   configure the storage capacity used for storing the content            item according to the user response.

Advantageously, such an AV content recording apparatus may interfacewith legacy product functions such as analogue and digital tuners (forexample UHF PAL, DVB-T, DAB, satellite, cable), media players andrecorders utilising removable media (for example VHS, DVD, MiniDisc),presentation devices (for example a TV receiver, audio system), remotehard disk storage (for example an external PC or server) and internetconnection (for example a dial-up/xDSL modem or a set top box). Theinterfaces to such products may use any suitable wired (for exampleScart, RF, Ethernet, USB) and/or wireless (for example WiFi, Bluetooth,low power radio, infrared) interconnection. Alternatively any of theabove functions may be incorporated within the AV content recordingapparatus.

An advantage of the present invention is that storage capacity isconfigured during use rather than as a separate housekeeping task. Aprompt is automatically provided to the user which enables him/her todecide whether to delete an item at a time which is convenient and whenhe/she is best informed. In this way, the utilisation of finite storagecapacity is improved by ensuring unwanted content is removed fromstorage as soon as possible enabling more additional content to berecorded on a speculative and/or scheduled basis than would otherwise bethe case. Furthermore, preferably the occurrence of the prompt is timedsuch that the user takes action before being distracted onto other tasksor activities; and preferably that content is conditionally removed(deleted) such that a user can reverse an earlier decision.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for configuring the storage capacityof a recording apparatus used for storing at, least one AV content item;and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an AV content recording apparatus.

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a method for configuring the storagecapacity of a recording apparatus used for storing at least one AVcontent item. The method, shown generally at 100, starts at 102 andstores 104 a content item. Storage can be on any suitable mediaincluding tape, optical/magnetic disk, solid state and the like.Preferably, disk or solid state media are preferred since thesetypically employ a file management system to allow convenient access toa content item from among a number of stored items; furthermore in thecase of video, reproduction of a particular item can be madecontemporaneously with its recording. The method then reproduces 106 thestored item for review by a user subsequently (for example in the caseof tape storage) or contemporaneously with storing of the item, forexample where an item is time shifted by a short time interval. Itshould be noted that such reproduction may be conditional on beingauthorised, for example where the stored item is rented; this isdiscussed in more detail below in relation to FIG. 2. While reproducingthe stored content item, the content is analysed 108 to identify theoccurrence of a pre-determined condition. Certain conditions arepre-determined, for example to enable an assessment to be made as toutilisation of the reproduced content. In a preferred embodimentidentifying a condition occurring at the end of the reproduced contentitem can be usefully used to trigger an action to be taken in respect ofthe content item. Alternatively or in addition, a condition comprisingthe identification of the start and end of the content item can be usedto trigger further actions, in this case inferring that the entire itemhas probably been reviewed. Other conditions can be readily identifiedby the skilled reader, for example explicitly logging that an item hasbeen entirely reviewed.

A condition can be identified by analysing the content itself.Alternatively or in addition, suitable metadata associated with thecontent can be interpreted. Where available, the latter is preferredsince it provides an explicit indication and also requires lessprocessing. Such metadata may comprise data from Video ProgrammingSystem (VPS), Programme Delivery Control (PDC) or Electronic ProgrammeGuide (EPG) services. Some implementations of PDC provide metadataidentifying the start of each TV show. In an example case where abroadcast TV show is speculatively recorded and contemporaneouslyreproduced (for example using a PVR), such metadata is able trigger asuitable action, for example metadata corresponding to the start of afollowing show is identified which in turn causes the user to beprompted. Where no user response is obtained the apparatus decides tomaintain (keep in storage) the recorded show. Clearly, due tocommercial/promotional advertising and the like, such metadata mightonly occur several minutes after the speculatively recorded show ended.In some circumstances this is acceptable (for example the user is asleepor otherwise unavailable).

Other situations require more accurate determination of the end of acontent item. This is particularly the case when contemplating deletionor archiving of the item. A key reason is that a user may quickly changehis/her context (activity) at the end of reviewing an item. Preferably,suitable metadata associated with a content item is provided to enablethe end of (and/or points within) an item to be accurately identified.This requires the cooperation of content providers, publishers andbroadcasters. Where such metadata is not provided, known methods can bedeployed to perform such identification. To accurately identify the endof a video content item without the aid of suitable metadata, apreferred method is to detect the credits present at the end of theitem. This allows a timely identification of a condition useful fordeleting or archiving the item without the risk that the reviewer hasalready changed context (for example, has switched to watching anotheritem, gone to make a beverage, etc.).

Once a pre-determined condition has occurred 110, the method thenprompts 112 the user (reviewer). Such prompts may take the form of avisual and/or audible signal, and/or other sensory signal. Where theprompt occurs at the end of a content item, an objective is to obtain adecision from the user as to whether to delete or keep the content itemthat has just ended. Various sub-choices can be offered within eithercourse of action, including, in the case of deletion, the release ofcapacity after expiration of a pre-determined period of time, orfollowing archiving of the item onto another media. Any practicalpre-determined period can be used, for example a few days; preferablythe period is determined in advance by the user. It is an objective toremove the item in order to release the storage capacity it occupied foruse by other items, such removal being independent of the amount ofstorage capacity presently available on the storage media. The user may,or may not, provide a response 114 to a prompt. Based on any suchresponse, the method then configures 116 the storage capacity used bythe content item to enable the decided action to be taken, examples ofwhich actions have been described above. Typically, configuration of astored content item may comprise tagging the item file with attributedata describing the status of the item such as the expected release dateof the storage capacity occupied by the item, any conditions to besatisfied prior to release of the capacity, etc. The method ends at 118.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an AV content recording apparatus.The apparatus comprises an input 202 which receives from a source an AVcontent item 256 encoded in digital format. For example an MPEG encoder226 encodes composite analogue video 252 (e.g. PAL, SECAM, NTSC)received via analogue UHF broadcast tuner 224; or a digital tuner 228such as a DVB or DAB tuner receives signals via terrestrial,cable/broadband or satellite; or a digital media player 230 such as aCD, DVD, MiniDisc—each source providing digital data 254 to input 202.The apparatus also comprises a store 204 which may be a hard disk,removable media (e.g. CD-R, recordable DVD, MiniDisc, Flash memory,tape), or solid state memory. In the example of FIG. 2, a disk basedstorage is used in which each recorded content item can be identifiedand its storage capacity selectively released or maintained; one suchexample is a hard disk drive. A further advantage of storage such ashard disk drive is the ability to optimise the utilisation of storagecapacity using file management techniques, for example filedefragmentation. The apparatus further comprises a first output 206 usedto output a reproduced content item 258, which for example may comprisean MPEG stream which is then decoded by MPEG decoder 232 into ananalogue format 262 suitable for rendering on a display 210 or forrecording on VHS 234. The apparatus further comprises a second output208 which outputs a prompt signal 264 provided from CPU processor 216.As shown, the prompt signal 264 is in a format suitable for rendering ondisplay 210, for example as an on-screen icon. Alternatively or inaddition, the prompt signal is rendered as an audible or other sensoryprompt (not shown in FIG. 2). The apparatus also provides as part of theuser interface, a user input device 212 which (as illustrated) is aninfrared remote controller but might be a local keypad or other inputdevice. Inputs from user input device 212 are received by IR receiver214 and communicated 266 to the processor 216. The processor 216operates under control of a program contained in program memory (such asROM 218) and data (such as temporary results of computation) containedin a data memory (such as RAM 220); optionally, the data memory couldreside in store 204. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the processor216, ROM 218, RAM 220 and store 204 are interconnected by means of bus222. Alternative configurations are readily identifiable to the skilledperson, for example a microcontroller with on-chip CPU, ROM and RAM.

In operation, the processor directs storage of a content item receivedby the apparatus as discussed above. Content items for storing may alsobe available via bus 222 from other sources such as a network (includingthe Internet), as discussed below. The processor then directs the storeto reproduce the stored content item 258 for review by a user. Duringreproduction, the content item is analysed by the processor to identifythe occurrence of a pre-determined condition. Analysis may be applied tothe content item data itself and/or metadata associated with the contentitem. Where a pre-determined condition occurs, the processor arranges tooutput a prompt 264 via second output 208 to the user for a response,which response 266 (if any) is received via receiver 214. The processorthen arranges to configure the storage capacity used for storing thecontent item according to the user response, for example by adaptingattributes associated with the stored content item file, as discussedearlier. An example is now described where a user has not responded to aprompt: consequently the processor configures the storage capacity usedto store the content item to maintain storage of the item for a periodof time, such period being pre-determined by the program or user.Subsequently, the processor measures elapsed time using any suitablemeans available, for example a timer or by reference to received timedata (for example data received via a broadcast TV teletext channel suchas BBC1 Ceefax). Once the processor has determined the period of timehas elapsed, it then adapts one or more attributes associated with therelevant stored content item file to indicate that the capacity used bythe item may now be released. The apparatus may also comprise any of theelements such as tuners, media player, VHS recorder, display and soforth, as described above.

As an enhancement, the apparatus comprises a modem 236 connected to bus222 and used to exchange data 250 with a remote server such as anInternet server 238. In operation, the processor registers the existenceof a particular stored content item with the server which then providesauthorisation to enable the reproduction of the stored content item.This authorisation may be in return for a supplementary payment; onemethod is the Internet transaction protocol SSL over TCP/IP. Alternativemeans of authorisation in place of the modem and server include a Smartcard and reader combination, or manual input by the user of anauthorisation code, perhaps via user input device 212. Clearly, theconnection to an Internet server as described also provides theapparatus with a further channel to receive content item files forstorage in store 204 or to send content item files to a server.

For archival or other purposes, a further interface 240 (such asEthernet) may be connected to bus 222 to exchange data, in particularcontent item file data, between the apparatus and external storage suchas a hard disk 242 (perhaps located in a home PC or network server)and/or removable media using recorder 244 such as a DVD recorder, CD-Ror MiniDisc recorder. In this way, stored content items in store 204 maybe archived conveniently and quickly to the desired media. Sucharchiving may be done on a batched basis, for example collating severalitems marked for archiving onto a single recordable DVD. Suitably, thestore 204 might also contain a log of archived items matched to thearchive media identity (e.g. recorded DVD disc number). Clearly, such aconnection to a network storage or DVD device also provides theapparatus with a further channel to receive content item files forstorage in store 204.

The foregoing method and implementation are presented by way of examplesonly and represent a selection of a range of methods and implementationsthat can readily be identified by a person skilled in the art to exploitthe advantages of the present invention.

In the description above and with reference to FIG. 1, there is provideda method for configuring the storage capacity of a recording apparatus.An AV content item is recorded 104 preferably on a random access media,for example a hard disk based personal video recorder. It is thenreproduced 106 for review by a user, possibly contemporaneously with therecording. During reproduction, the content and/or metadata associatedwith the content is analysed 108 to identify a pre-determined condition.Where a condition occurs 110, the user is prompted 112 for a response.The storage capacity used for storing the content item is thenconfigured 116 according to the user response, including the case whereno user response is provided.

1. A method for configuring the storage capacity of a recordingapparatus used for storing at least one AV content item, the methodcomprising: storing (104) a content item; reproducing (106) the storedcontent item for review by a user; while reproducing the stored contentitem, analysing (108) the reproduction of the content item to identifythe occurrence of a pre-determined condition; where a pre-determinedcondition occurs (110), prompting (112) the user for a response; andconfiguring (116) the storage capacity used for storing the content itemaccording to the user response.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1wherein the stored content item is a recording of a live broadcastcontent item and is reproduced contemporaneously with the live broadcastcontent item.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein thepre-determined condition comprises identifying the end of the contentitem.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the content itemcomprises video and the end of the item is identified by detectingcredits present at the end of the item.
 5. A method as claimed in claim3 wherein the pre-determined condition further comprises identifying thestart of the content item and the user is prompted when both the startand end of the content item have been identified.
 6. A method as claimedin claim 1 wherein the storage capacity used for storing the contentitem is configured to maintain storage of the content item in the casewhere there is no user response to the prompt.
 7. A method as claimed inclaim 6 wherein the stored content item is a recording of a rentedcontent item and a subsequent reproduction of which is conditional on anauthorisation.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein storage ismaintained for a pre-determined period of time.
 9. A method as claimedin claim 1 wherein configuring the storage capacity is the release ofsaid capacity.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the release isconditional on archiving the content item.
 11. An AV content recordingapparatus, the apparatus comprising: an input (202) arranged to receivea content item; a store (204) operable to store the content item and toreproduce the content item under the direction of a processor (216); afirst output (206) arranged to output the reproduced content item; asecond output (208) arranged to output a prompt signal; a user interface(210, 212) operable to render the prompt signal and to accept userinputs; a receiver device (214) operable to receive a response from theuser interface; and a processor (216), a program memory (218) and a datamemory (220) all interconnected by means of a bus (222), the processorbeing operable under control of a program contained in the programmemory to: direct the storage of a content item; direct the reproductionof the content item for review by a user; during reproduction of thestored content item, analyse the content item to identify the occurrenceof a pre-determined condition; where a pre-determined condition occurs,prompt the user for a response; and configure the storage capacity usedfor storing the content item according to the user response.
 12. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a tuner (224, 228)operable to provide a content item to the input (202).
 13. An apparatusas claimed in claim 11 further comprising a player (230) operable toreproduce a content item from a removable media and provide the item tothe input (202).
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein thestore comprises a hard disk drive.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim11 wherein the store comprises a removable media.
 16. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 11 wherein the presentation device (210) is a displayand the reproduced content item and prompt signal are video signals forrendering on the display.
 17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11further comprising a first interface (236) operable to communicate withan authorisation device (238).
 18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17wherein the first interface is a modem (236) for connecting to anInternet server (238) operable to authorise the reproduction of acontent item held in store (204).
 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim11 further comprising a second interface (240) operable to communicatewith an archiving device (242, 244).
 20. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 19 wherein the second interface is Ethernet (240) forcommunicating with a server (242) or removable media recorder (244). 21.(canceled)
 22. (canceled)